1st Place Equal

Under 18 1st Place

Overview

Colonisation has shaped the form of New Zealand towns and cities in ways that mean that Māori
identities and values have often been side-lined. Yet, our cities have always been indigenous
places, and we’re interested in how urban environments could better reflect this.

This competition encourages people to think about how we might ‘decolonise’ cities in Aotearoa New
Zealand. There are two sites in Porirua City – the harbour front and whānau land for a papakāinga –
that people are invited to redesign. We want people from all walks of life, backgrounds, ages and
cultural groups to get involved. Creative, positive and forward-looking solutions can come from
anywhere and anyone who might engage with these issues. We welcome a wide range of submission types
including masterplans, drawings, essays, poetry and film.

There are a number of ways you might think about this. You might think about decolonisation as being
about social justice – an opportunity to create cities which are fair and equitable for all whānau.
You might consider the special role that mana whenua (the tribal group who has historic connections
with a particular place) plays in the city. You might consider how New Zealand might look and feel
had Māori values always been an integral part of the way we design our cities. You may look to the
future and develop a utopian vision for how our cities might look and feel in 50 years from now.
You may have other ways of thinking about it. All ideas are welcome.

The entries submitted will be judged by a panel of experts from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Entries will also be analysed by our research team to understand how we might work to decolonise
urban places.

Prizes

Overall 1st Place: $5000 sponsored by New Zealand National
Commission for UNESCO

Runner Up General Public Category: $2000 sponsored by Housing New
Zealand

Runner Up Under 18: $2000
sponsored by Porirua City Council, Peter and Sue Dow